Georgia holds the title as the number one state in the nation in which to do business—a title it has held for four years in a row. And when 98 percent of Georgia companies (employing under 100) are considered small businesses, it makes sense the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) would want to salute these business owners with Georgia Small Business Week taking place March 13-17. 

And to kick-off the week-long tribute to small businesses, GDEcD along with Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) will host the Small Business ROCK STARS Awards Luncheon on March 13 at 11 a.m. at the Georgia Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta, Midtown, sponsored by Georgia CEO.

The luncheon is the official kick-off to Georgia Small Business Week, and brings together more than 200 members of Georgia’s economic development community as well as the state’s local businesses to honor the businesses chosen as the 2017 Small Business ROCK STARS, as well as celebrate all small businesses in the state. 

Registration is open and tickets are $45 for members and $60 for non-members. Late registration begins on March 10 and tickets will go up to $50 for members and $65 for non-members. A table for 10 is $400. To register, go to geda.site-m.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=890293&group.

According to Mary Ellen McClanahan, Director of GDEcD’s Small Business program, these ‘Rock Stars’ represent the innovators who have risen to the top as outstanding, unique and impactful small businesses. And this year’s winners were selected out of 135 submitted nominations that were reviewed and vetted by a panel of judges.

“This is the fourth year for this event, which grows in popularity every year,” she says. “We’ve seen a steady increase each year in the number of businesses nominated and in the attendance at the luncheon. But most importantly, the ROCK STARS continue to surprise and impress. 

“This event represents our recognition of how critically important small business is to the state. We know that small business is big business in Georgia."

And while the kick-off luncheon is one of the highlights of Georgia Small Business Week, there will be a host of other events going on all week across the state. For more information, go to georgia.org/small-business/connect/georgia-small-business-week. 

To learn more about Georgia’s small business growth and opportunities, go to http://www.georgia.org/small-business/